Wednesday, February 27, 2013

Funny Business : New biz news format replacing comedy on AM 1200

Come midnight on Friday(3/1) Matty's Comedy format on WXKS/Comedy 1200 won't be laughing very hard. . The Clear Channel-owned station will flip to business news format airing Bloomberg Radio. WXKS-AM launched "Matty's Comedy 1200" last August when it ditched a Talk 1200 format after a year and a half. The "Matty" came from sister CHR-Top40 morning host Matty Siegel who supposedly chose the content to make people laugh. Those who still want to hear comedy will need to get an HD Radio receiver and listen on the HD2 channel of WJMN/Jamn 94-5, according to Clear Channel Boston

Boston has a short-lived history of AM stations with an all-business formats on 1150, 590 and 1060. WBNW 1120/Money Matters Radio has been airing a mix of local finance talk shows and Bloomberg Radio(at night and overnight) since mid 1990's, but the Needham-based station doesn't have the range of 1200's 50,000-watt signal. Money Matters Radio does produce local financial show "The Financial Exchange" which is also heard on WRKO 680 from 9am to 11am weekdays. There are some whipsers that the show may move from 680 to the new Bloomberg 1200 station.

BRW Notebook :

Re-Connection : Former host of the now-defunction, popular The Connection show on WBUR 90.9,Chris Lydon has been named as one of five weekly contributors to WGBH 89.7's Boston Public Radio 2-hour block that is now being hosted by Jim Braude and Margery Eagan. Lydon will make his debut tomorrow(2/27) according to the press release below :

WGBH Radio Sets Full Line Up for Boston Public Radio’s ‘Open Mic’ SegmentLydon and Rooney join Rivers, Baker and McGrory as featured commentators during daily, 1pm segment

89.7 WGBH introduces additional segments to Boston Public Radio broadcastBOSTON, Mass. (February 27, 2013) – Christopher Lydon, a former New York Times journalist, anchor of WGBH-TV’s former The Ten O’Clock News program and public radio personality, will return to WGBH as a regular ‘Open Mic’ contributor to Boston Public Radio, 89.7 WGBH’s daily, local news talk show. Lydon will appear every Thursday during the 1pm hour. Emily Rooney, host of Greater Boston on WGBH 2 and a contributor to Boston Public Radio, will be the featured guest on Fridays. Other ‘Open Mic’ guests announced last week include Rev. Eugene F. Rivers, Charlie Baker and Brian McGrory.“Boston Public Radio is the place to tune in for anyone who cares about what is happening in and around Boston, Massachusetts and New England,” said WGBH Radio Managing Director Phil Redo. “Jim Braude and Margery Eagan have made our already strong local news team even stronger. By bringing Christopher Lydon into the conversation and teaming up with Emily Rooney, I am certain that the radios and computers of listeners across the region, along with newsmakers on Beacon Hill and Capitol Hill will be tuned to 89.7.”Jim Braude and Margery Eagan joined Boston Public Radio earlier this week. During their debut show on Monday, the co-hosts introduced a new ‘Open Mic’ segment that brings regular guests into the studio at 1pm to discuss current events and debates that are shaping the news in Greater Boston and across the nation. A complete ‘Open Mic’ schedule follows:•Mondays: Rev. Eugene F. Rivers, former gang member, Dorchester pastor, advocate for violence prevention and co-founder of the Boston Ten Point Coalition;•Tuesdays: Charlie Baker, 2010 Republican nominee for Massachusetts governor;•Wednesdays: Brian McGrory, editor of the Boston Globe;•Thursdays: Christopher Lydon, journalist, former host of NPR’s The Connection, PRI’s Open Sources and a former anchor on WGBH-TV’s The Ten-O’Clock News; and•Fridays: Emily Rooney, award-winning journalist, contributor to Boston Public Radio and host of WGBH-TV’s Greater Boston.Boston Public Radio’s light-hearted Friday featuresOn Friday, Braude and Eagan will premiere two features that explore local stories from interesting, often light-hearted perspectives: ‘Friday News Quiz’ and the ‘Memory Hole.’The ‘Friday News Quiz’ recaps the week’s most important stories. Braude and Eagan will invite recognized Bostonians into the studio to quiz them on their knowledge of what made headlines and heads turn throughout Boston. Singer-songwriter Livingston Taylor and comedian Janeane Garofalo are scheduled to participate in the inaugural segment on Friday at 1:30pm.The ‘Memory Hole’ feature also will air Fridays and look back at stories that were important to Boston and New England in past years but may have been forgotten since they left the front pages. This segment will include in-studio and phone interviews with past newsmakers, as well as conversations with the journalists who reported those lost stories.

The re-formatted Boston Public Radio program reflects the continuing evolution of 89.7 and the growing WGBH News team, which draws significantly on the expertise of staff across radio, television and the web. Boston Public Radio airs every weekday on 89.7 WGBH from noon-2pm.About WGBHWGBH Boston is America’s preeminent public broadcaster and the largest producer of PBS content for TV and the Web, including Masterpiece, Antiques Roadshow, Frontline, Nova, American Experience, Arthur, Curious George, and more than a dozen other prime-time, lifestyle, and children’s series. WGBH’s television channels include WGBH 2, WGBH 44, and the digital channels World and Create. WGBH TV productions focusing on the region’s diverse community include Greater Boston, Basic Black, High School Quiz Show, and Neighborhood Kitchens. WGBH Radio serves listeners across New England with 89.7 WGBH, Boston Public Radio; Classical New England; and WCAI, the Cape and Islands NPR® Station. WGBH also is a major source of programs for public radio (among them, PRI’s The World®), a leader in educational multimedia (including PBS LearningMedia™, providing the nation’s educators with free, curriculum-based digital content to meet the needs of 21st-century learners), and a pioneer in technologies and services that make media accessible to the 36 million Americans who are deaf, hard of hearing, blind, or visually impaired. WGBH has been recognized with hundreds of honors: Emmys, Peabodys, duPont-Columbia Awards…even two Oscars. Find more information at wgbh.org.

Tuesday, February 19, 2013

WEEI officially announces Salk hiring

As was first reported last week in the Boston Globe, former ESPN 890 personality Mike Salk has been
officially namedthe new co-host at WEEI/SportsRadio 93.7. He will join Michael Holley in
afternoon drive at beginning in mid-March. The afternoon drive show will also have a new yet-to-be-announced name.

Since leaving Boston in the spring 2009, Salk has been working as the midday co-host at Seattle's 710 ESPN sports talker. Prior to that, the Sudbury native was with the now-defunct ESPN 890 in Charlestown from 2005 to 2009 where he served as midday co-host(with Ch.5's weekend sportsanchor Bob Halloran) and was Red Sox beat reporter for the station. He also held prior stints at
ESPN Radio where he anchored SportsCenterSaturday and
served as a regular fill-in host at the network.

“For a kid who grew up rooting
for Boston’s sports teams, I can’t wait to get behind that microphone and
connect with the most avid sports fans in the country,” Salk said in a press release. “From the
best play-by-play in radio, to their breakthrough work with the Jimmy
Fund, WEEI is the gold standard in Sports/Talk radio.”

Hot 96.9 adds more experienceThe new kid on Boston's radio block, Greater Media's Rhythmic AC WTKK/HOT 96.9 is only making its first steps but it'll be relying on many years of experience to guide it thru the building process . Station's veteran programmer "Cadillac" Jack McCartney has already scooped up former Jamn 94-5 personalities Melissa(10am-3pm) and Pebbles(currently 3-8pm) but now come more veteran hires which are meant to help with Hot 96.9's start and growth.Greater Media has named Jill Strada to be WTKK's new Assistant Program Director and Digital Media Brand Manag. She "will be responsible for assisting in the strategic planning and execution of the station's programming and promotional plans. In addition, she will play a key role in the creative development of the station's website and digital media platforms, as well as construct ways for the Hot 96.9 sales team to monetize the station's digital efforts." Strada most recently was Program Director at WPOW/Power 96 in Miami. Previously, she was Program Director at WRKS/98.7 Kiss FM and Assistant PD/Music Director at WQHT/"Hot 97 in New York from 2007 to 2011. Prior to that she's held a number of radio programming and marketing roles at stations in the Orlando, FL market.The station has also added production and voiceover wiz Doug MacAskill who has joined Hot 96.9 as its new Imaging/Creative Services director. MacAskill has moved from CBS Radio Boston where he'd been Imaging Director for WODS/103.3 Amp Radio(and prior to that for Oldies 103) since 2007. MacAskill worked with McCartney for 12 years at Clear Channel's Jamn 94-5 and Kiss 108 from 1994 to 2006.BRW Notebook :

Award Season : WKLB/Country 102.5 Program Director Mike Brophey has been named among the
‘Best Program Directors in Radio’ for the fifth consecutive year by Radio Ink Magazine, a leading industry
publication. Brophey ranked #2 for the second
consecutive year on the national list.

“To
be in this distinguished group of industry leaders is both exciting and
appreciated,”
said Brophey. He will be featured among the honorees at 2013 Country
Radio Seminar in Nashville and will be recognized in the current issue
of the publication.

"We
are very proud of Mike Brophey for all he and his outstanding team have
accomplished over the past 17years at WKLB-FM," said Greater Media
Chairman and CEO Peter Smyth. “He is an accomplished programmer, a
proven leader, a dedicated humanitarian and a great individual."

Don't Cry for Me, Boston : And speaking of former WTKK staffers, program director Grace Blazer has been named new program director for Clear Channel's Miami combo - NewsRadio WIOD 610/100.3 FM and Sports Animal WINZ 940. She’ll also oversee digital operations for both stations.The change for the veteran programmer is effective immediately. She's was WTKK's PD for five years(2007-2012). Previously, she was PD for 11 years at WPHT/The Big Talker 1210 in her native Philadelphia. She joined that station back in 2007. Prior to that, she was the program director and executive producer at The Big Talker 1210 WPHT-AM in Philadelphia. Blazer began her talk radio career at KDKA in Pittsburgh as a producer and was elevated to morning news editor.

Thursday, February 14, 2013

WEEI and longtime personality Glenn Ordway part ways

Glenn Ordway, a longtime Boston sports radio personality has been let go. WEEI/SportsRadio 93.7 has decided to part ways with Glenn Ordway, co-host of "The Big Show", it was announced on Wednesday. Ordway announced on the air his last day will be this Friday(2/15). He told listeners Wednesday that sports radio is a ratings-driven business and "it's obvious" his show isn't "getting the ratings." He said he isn't retiring after 21 1/2 years at the station and will work on other media projects.Ordway's tenure at WEEI predates the current sports format. He's been at WEEI since 1987, when he was executive producer and broadcaster on Celtics broadcasts and served as analyst with the legendary Johnny Most. When the station went all sports in September 1991, he started out as its midday host while continuing his Celtics duties. Ordway was WEEI's program director from 1995-97. During his tenure as WEEI's PD, he introduced the Big Show in 1995.In January 2009, Ordway signed a 5-year incentive-laden contract that was reportedly worth $1 million per year. The contract also reportedly had an out-option for Ordway's employer, Entercom, if his ratings didn't meet certain benchmarks.WEEI has been fighting a tough battle for ratings with WBZ/98.5 The Sports Hub which launched in August 2009. The CBS-owned station has surpassed WEEI in ratings over the past two years, especially among the younger 25-54 and 18-34 male demographics prized by radio advertisers. Ordway, had already taken a sizeable pay cut in his performance-based salary in 2011.WEEI said Michael Holley will host the show for the foreseeable future. The Boston Globe reported that Sudbury, Mass native and BB&N graduate, Mike Salk,34, who worked at now-defunct ESPN 890 is going to be Holley's host. Salk has been co-hosting midday "Brock and Salk" show with Brock Huard on KIRO/"710 ESPN" in Seattle since May 2009. He also has been a regular fill-in on the ESPN Radio network .

Here's WEEI's statement regarding Glenn Ordway's departure :

WEEI has decided to part ways with Glenn Ordway, co-host of “The Big Show”. Ordway made the announcement on-air Wednesday, February 13 that his last day will be this Friday. Michael Holley will serve as host of "The Big Show" for the foreseeable future and WEEI expects to make an announcement in the coming days about Michael's new co-host.

"Glenn and I have been together since day one. He is an icon in this business and he helped build WEEI into arguably the most successful sports station in history," said Jason Wolfe, VP of programming and operations for Entercom Boston. "I am so thankful to have been able to work alongside Glenn for the past 20-plus years and I hope that all Boston sports fans realize how important his contributions have been to this station, to the market and to this industry. He's a true professional and that was clearer than ever in his comments today."

Tuesday, February 12, 2013

TJ Taormina has been named morning show host at CBS Boston Radio's WODS/103.3 AMP Radio. The NJ native, Taormina, starts in April and is joining Boston's AMP on-air staff from the syndicated Clear Channel/Premiere Networks "Elvis Duran Morning Show" based at WHTZ/"Z100" in NYC.Here's the official press release from CBS Radio Boston :

TJ TAORMINA NAMED MORNING SHOW HOST

OF BOSTON’S NEWEST HIT MUSIC STATION 103.3 AMP RADIO

BOSTON, MA – Tuesday, February 12, 2013 - TJ Taormina has been named Morning Show Host of Boston’s newest contemporary hit radio station 103.3 AMP Radio (WODS-FM), it was announced today by Dan Mason, Program Director for CBS RADIO Boston’s 103.3 AMP Radio. TJ will start in April and will host mornings from 5:30-9AM. You can listen to Boston’s new, hit music station on-air at 103.3 FM, online at 1033AMPRadio.com and Radio.com, or with the free Radio.com app for iOS and Android.

“TJ is a unique talent, with a passion for radio that is unmatched. I'm thrilled that 103.3 AMP Radio is able to bring him to Boston, and I am positive he will be a cornerstone for our success in the future," said Mason when making the announcement.

“The chance to join the AMP team in Boston and host the morning show is a life-long dream come true!” said Taormina. “I look forward to working with the entire CBS RADIO team to make the morning show on AMP a powerhouse, ‘can’t-miss’ show.”

A life-long fan of radio, TJ joins 103.3 AMP Radio from the top-rated “Elvis Duran and the Z100 Morning Show” on New York’s Hit Music Station Z100 (WHTZ-FM). Over the course of his ten years with the morning show, TJ learned as much as he could from the different positions he held: answering phones, doing phone pranks, producing, and eventually becoming a co-host on Elvis’ show in 2010. TJ began his radio career during his junior year of high school. He volunteered at Fairleigh Dickinson University in Teaneck, NJ at the college station WFDU-FM running public service tapes on weekends. In 2002, after getting accepted into FDU’s broadcasting department, he landed an internship with Elvis Duran.

103.3 AMP Radio is owned and operated by CBS RADIO, one of the largest major-market radio operators in the United States. A division of CBS Corporation, CBS RADIO operates 127 radio stations, the majority of which are in the nation’s top 50 markets. CBS RADIO also owns and operates WBZ-AM NewsRadio 1030, WBZ-FM 98.5 The Sports Hub, WBMX-FM MIX 104.1, and WZLX-FM 100.7 Boston’s Classic Rock.

BRW Notebook :

Winter makes an early exit : Kevin Winter, who joined WEEI 93.7's "Dennis & Callahan Morning Show" on December 10th has exited the show yesterday after just two months on the job(BRW 12/08/12). A statement released by the station said Winter has simply found it too difficult to balance the time demands between his ESPN Radio network duties and the WEEI morning show. No word yet on whether or not a replacement will be sought. Contrary to WEEI's press release, the Boston Globe reportedthat Winter was terminated because he just wasn't working out. Whether he was protecting his severance package or just being professional about the whole situation, the high-energy Winter seemed to be taking his abrupt departure quite well onhis Twitter feed.

It's Getting Hot In Here : Valentine's Day present for the listeners of the new Hot 96.9 will come in the form of two familiar voices behind the mic later this week. Two former Jamn 94-5 personalities Melissa and Pebbles will begin hosting their shows starting this Thursday(2/14). Melissa will be on the air from 10am to 3pm while Pebbles, who will eventually move to morning drive, is slated to host the 3pm to 8pm show for now. The station soft-launched its Rhythmic AC format with a 13,000-song commercial-free marathon on January 8th.(BRW 1/8).

Thursday, February 7, 2013

'BUR heads to the Cape, the Islands and the South Coast

Boston University is expected to close on the sale of 92.7 frequency on Martha's Vineyard this coming Friday(2/8), it was announced yesterday. The new station will have call letters WBUA and will kick off the simulcast of Boston's WBUR 90.9's programming starting at midnight on Saturday, February 9th.

Two months ago, BU signed an agreement to acquire the 3,000 watt Martha's Vineyard-based WMVY 92.7 for $715,000 from Aritaur Communications. Under a new set call of letters, 92.7's signal will now expand WBUR 90.9's geographical reach on Cape Cod and the islands and much of the South Coast. This move also opens a new frontier for WBUR as it's involved in the head-to-head battle in Boston with its rival pubcaster WGBH 89.7. On the the Cape, WBUR's 92.7 outlet will now be in direct competition with WGBH's affiliate, WCAI 90.1, in Woods Hole. Ironically, WCAI currently utlizes WBUA’s radio antenna tower and has plans to boost its signal strength from 1,400 watts to 12,500 watts using a different tower at the same location.
For Immediate Release:

92.7 WBUA-FM, Tisbury martha’s vineyard, debuts on saturday, feb. 9New Station to Broadcast Award-Winning Programming from WBUR, Boston’s NPR News StationBOSTON, Feb. 6, 2013 – 90.9 WBUR, Boston’s NPR® News Station, will debut on its new signal, 92.7-FM Tisbury, Martha’s Vineyard, on Saturday, Feb. 9. The station will simulcast its award-winning news and information programming using the call letters WBUA. For the debut on Feb. 9, WBUR will broadcast a custom showcase of its signature shows, previously not heard in this new market.The sign-on follows the closing of the sale of 92.7’s 3,000-watt signal to WBUR by Aritaur Communications, which is expected to occur on Friday, Feb. 8, 2013. “The islands, Cape Cod and ‘SouthCoast’ are vital to the state we cover and serve. But until now most residents could not get our signal," said WBUR General Manager Charlie Kravetz. "We have the largest radio newsroom in New England and are thrilled to provide our outstanding local news reporting - along with our signature programs like On Point, Here & Now, Radio Boston and Only A Game - to these important Massachusetts communities.”

WBUA boosts the reach of WBUR’s broadcasts to more than 60,000 prospective new listeners on Martha’s Vineyard, Nantucket and Cape Cod, as well as in New Bedford, Fall River, Falmouth, Westport, Marion and other Massachusetts SouthCoast locations. The 92.7 FM signal will be in addition to WBUR’s current 50,000-watt signal on 90.9 FM, which broadcasts across all of metropolitan Boston and eastern Massachusetts.WBUR is the preeminent news and information public radio station in Massachusetts, reaching close to 500,000 listeners each week, and is ranked among the Top 10 public radio stations in America. As the most prolific producer of national programming in public radio, WBUR is the home of Car Talk, On Point, Here & Now and Only A Game. With its extensive newsroom, WBUR produces hourly local newscasts, original reporting, investigative and feature series, and in addition, has a robust – and growing – digital presence at wbur.org. WBUR produces a daily news magazine program, Radio Boston, and carries NPR News programs such as Morning Edition, All Things Considered and Wait Wait … Don’t Tell Me.To welcome new listeners and celebrate the debut of 92.7, the station will feature a custom line-up of its signature shows starting at midnight when the new signal goes live:· 12 a.m. – 2 a.m. On Point with Tom Ashbrook· 2 a.m. – 3 a.m. Here & Now with Robin Young· 3 a.m. – 4 a.m. Radio Boston· 4 a.m. – 6 a.m. BBC NewsdayAt 7 a.m., WBUR’s regular Saturday schedule begins with Only A Game, the WBUR & NPR sports show hosted by Bill Littlefield. The entire weekend and weekday line-up is available at www.wbur.org. “WBUR is thrilled to have a new home on Martha’s Vineyard, and we’re looking forward to exploring ways that our commitment to news and programming will benefit listeners in the area,” said Sam Fleming, managing director of news and programming for WBUR.###About WBUR, Boston’s NPR News Station: Founded in 1950, WBUR began broadcasting NPR programming in 1970, offering NPR’s Morning Edition and All Things Considered along with local news programming and establishing its iconic identity as a news and information station. One of the nation’s most successful public radio stations today, WBUR produces extensive local and national content from its studios on Commonwealth Avenue at Boston University, in addition to airing content from NPR, The BBC, PRX and other independent content providers.WBUR’s over-the-air mix of news, information and entertainment programming is complemented with a robust digital presence, including HD and satellite channels; mobile applications; and live streaming, podcasts and original online content such as Cognoscenti (opinion); CommonHealth (health care) and much more at its news destination website, wbur.org. The work produced at WBUR has won countless honors, including national Peabody and Murrow awards. See more at www.wbur.org.

Wednesday, February 6, 2013

Eagan and Braude get a new show on WGBH 89.7A month after losing their morning drive show on WTKK 96.9 due to a major format change, Jim Braude and Margery Eagan have found a new home on the dial. The talk radio duo will become new hosts for the 12pm-2pm slot on WGBH 89.7 starting Monday, February 25. Here's the official press release from WGBH on Eagan and Braude joing their local talk line-up :

Jim Braude and Margery Eagan to join WGBH's
Boston Public Radio

Pair will anchor mid-day talk program on WGBH
Radio 89.7; WGBH expands on commitment to local coverage, builds on
Rooney and Crossley’s growth

BOSTON, Mass. (February 6, 2013) –
Jim Braude and Margery Eagan will serve as the new co-hosts of 89.7 WGBH’s
Boston Public Radio beginning Monday, February 25. The format
change is part of WGBH News’s ongoing evolution and continued commitment
to strengthening the region’s most dynamic local news team. The live
local program airs from 12-2pm each Monday through
Friday on 89.7 WGBH.

Braude
and Eagan will lead two hours of local conversation that will continue
to combine newsmaker interviews, conversation with experts, and listener
call-ins.
Callie Crossley and Emily Rooney, the awarding-winning veteran
journalists who have led the consistent growth of
Boston Public Radio, will continue to contribute to WGBH’s local, daily public radio talk show. WGBH and
Boston Public Radio will also continue to include regular contributors Kara Miller, Jared Bowen, and Edgar B. Herwick III.
As co-hosts of
Boston Public Radio, Braude and Eagan will host a monthly Ask the Governor
program on WGBH, a series they hosted in their former role at WTKK
radio. 89.7 WGBH will make that monthly program available to any other
Massachusetts station free of
charge.

WGBH will announce other major contributors and regular guests from politics, press, and culture in the coming weeks.

“As WGBH Radio
continues to develop and grow, we are excited to build on a strong
foundation and serve audiences with the smartest on-air guides to the
breadth of stories happening
in our region and around the world. Jim and Margery are extremely
talented broadcasters who will make our strong team even stronger. Like
all of our
Boston Public Radio contributors, they are smart and engaging and
share our passion for local discussion and commentary,” said 89.7 WGBH
Managing Director Phil Redo. “We are very happy that Governor Patrick
will be resuming his regular appearances on
radio, now here on WGBH. It is a genuine public service and an
opportunity for residents of the Commonwealth to engage directly with
their governor.”

For 13 years, Braude and Eagan co-hosted the
Jim & Margery Show on WTKK 96.9FM. Braude, an Emmy-award
winning journalist, started his career as a legal services lawyer in the
South Bronx. Braude hosts
Broadside: The News with Jim Braude weeknights on NECN. He
founded and served as the first president of the National Organization
of Legal Services Workers, a union representing staff in civil legal
offices for the poor in 35 states. He published
Otherwise, a magazine on American politics, and served as a
Cambridge City Councilor. Braude graduated from the University of
Pennsylvania and New York University School of Law.

“We are excited to join the WGBH News team and to be staying together as a team ourselves,” said Braude.

Eagan, a columnist for the
Boston Herald, grew up in Fall River, Mass. She is a graduate of
Stanford University. Throughout her career, Eagan has written for a
number of publications, including
Boston Magazine. She has appeared on national and local news programs and is a regular guest on
Greater Boston and Beat the Press on WGBH TV.

“I’m a huge fan of WGBH’s
Boston Public Radio and am thrilled to be joining the terrific
journalists there,” Eagan said. “They’ve built one of the strongest
local news teams around.”

“I congratulate
Jim and Margery on this next adventure and look forward to continuing
our thoughtful conversations on how policy touches people in their
everyday lives,” said Governor
Patrick.

Callie Crossley
will continue to lend her signature perspective to the exploration of
important topics, both local and national. Emily Rooney will provide a
take on stories she is
following for the WGBH-TV program Greater Boston. Kara Miller, who also hosts WGBH Radio’s
Innovation Hub, will offer a window into the region’s most
creative thinkers. Jared Bowen – Boston television’s only full-time arts
journalist, a recently-named Commonwealth Award winner and host of
Open Studio which premieres on WGBH 2 this Friday at 8:30pm –
will continue to provide unique coverage of New England’s vibrant arts
culture. Edgar Herwick, who developed the Web series
One Guest, will continue to report on interesting and unusual topics that engage audiences.

The re-formatted
Boston Public Radio program reflects the continuing evolution of
89.7 and the growing WGBH News team, which draws significantly on the
expertise of staff across radio, television and the Web. Today’s
announcement comes on the heels of schedule changes
that more prominently feature unique local programming throughout the
week, including the new timeslot for
Innovation Hub, hosted by Kara Miller, now at 10am on Saturdays.

About WGBH

WGBH Boston is America’s preeminent public broadcaster and the largest producer of PBS content for TV and the Web, including Masterpiece,
Antiques Roadshow, Frontline, Nova, American Experience,
Arthur, Curious George, and more than a dozen other
prime-time, lifestyle, and children’s series. WGBH’s television channels
include WGBH 2, WGBH 44, and the digital channels World and Create.
WGBH TV productions focusing on the region’s diverse
community include Greater Boston, Basic Black, High School Quiz Show,
and Neighborhood Kitchens. WGBH Radio serves listeners across
New England with 89.7 WGBH, Boston Public Radio; Classical New England;
and WCAI, the Cape and Islands NPR® Station. WGBH also is a major
source of programs for public radio (among them,
PRI’s The World®), a leader in educational multimedia (including
PBS LearningMedia™, providing the nation’s educators with free,
curriculum-based digital content to meet the needs of 21st-century
learners), and a pioneer in technologies and services
that make media accessible to the 36 million Americans who are deaf,
hard of hearing, blind, or visually impaired. WGBH has been recognized
with hundreds of honors: Emmys, Peabodys, duPont-Columbia Awards…even
two Oscars. Find more information at
wgbh.org.

Tuesday, February 5, 2013

Building a new station one DJ at a time : AMP adds new jock to its line-upCBS Radio Boston today announced another staff addition to the lineup for WODS/AMP 103.3. The station will have Dustin "Slater" Carlson in its night-time slot(7pm-Midnight) starting tomorrow(2/6). The Washington State native joins AMP after an 8-year run at CBS Radio's modern rocker KXTE/X107.5 in Las Vegas where he served as
Afternoon Host, Assistant Program Director, and Creative Director.

The Top 40 station which debuted seven months ago is still in the process of building its new line-up which already includes afternoon personality and music director Joe Breezy who came on-board in December(BRW 12/11) and currently holds the 2pm-7pm slot.Here's the official press release from CBS Radio Boston :

DUSTIN “SLATER” CARLSON NAMED NIGHT SHOW HOST

OF BOSTON’S NEWEST HIT MUSIC STATION 103.3 AMP RADIO

BOSTON, MA – Tuesday, February 5, 2013 -
Dustin “Slater” Carlson has been named Night Show Host of Boston’s newest contemporary hit radio station
103.3 AMP Radio (WODS-FM), it was announced today by Dan Mason,
Program Director for CBS RADIO Boston’s 103.3 AMP Radio. Slater’s first
day will be Wednesday, February 6, and he will host weeknights from 7PM
to midnight.

Slater joins 103.3
AMP Radio from CBS RADIO’s KXTE-FM “X1075” in Las Vegas where he was
Afternoon Host, Assistant Program Director, and Creative Director for
nearly eight years.
Before that, he spent nearly three years
as Creative Services Director at WLZR-FM “Lazer 103” in Milwaukee.
Prior to that, Slater worked at KALC-FM “Alice 105.9” in Denver. He
began his
career as a senior in high school at KWWW-FM “KW3” where he started as a
board operator but was promoted to night host as well as Assistant
Program Director and Music Director.

“’Slater’ is a unique
communicator, a stand-out talent, and one of the most creative people
in the industry,” said Mason when making the announcement. “I know he
will be a great addition
to the 103.3 AMP Radio team and help us as we build America’s next
great CHR brand.”

“I'm beyond excited for the opportunity to join the
AMP team in Boston!”
said Carlson. “It's not easy leaving my Vegas family, but I am looking forward to being a
part of the talented staff who will take AMP to the top in the market.”

103.3 AMP
Radio is owned and operated by CBS RADIO, one of the largest
major-market radio operators in the United States. A division of CBS
Corporation, CBS RADIO operates
127 radio stations, the majority of which are in the nation’s top 50
markets. CBS RADIO also owns and operates WBZ-AM
NewsRadio 1030, WBZ-FM 98.5 The Sports Hub, WBMX-FM MIX 104.1, and WZLX-FM
100.7 Boston’s Classic Rock.

# # #

BRW Notebook :Graham returns : Former WTKK 96.9 talk show host Michael Graham is coming back to local airwaves starting next Monday(2/11). Graham has signed up with Needham-based Money Matters Radio which will place his new show on four Massachusetts outlets and dubbing it "New England Talk Radio Network". Graham's new show will be heard weekdays from Noon to 3pm and originate from Money Matter's WBNW 1120 studios in Needham. Other stations that will be airing Graham's new show are WCRN 830 in Worcester, WESO 970 in Southbridge and WPLM 1390 in Plymouth.

Graham left WTKK in late December after 7 years. The station changed formats from talk to Rhythmic Adult Contemporary in early January.

Assessing all the changes and listening options : Keith Spencer of "NoBo Magazine" looks at all the local radio changes that have taken place over the past few months, ranks best local dial destinations for specific radio formats, and also has the best local radio station app picked out.The Point-Man : A feature story in February issue of Boston Magazine "Point Man" by contributor Peter
Vigneron takes a in-dept look into the life and radio personality of WBUR 90.9's Tom
Ashbrook, host of "On Point". The show is heard on WBUR weekdays 10am-Noon(live) and 7pm-9pm(tape). It airs on 240 NPR stations nationwide and has an audience of 1.2 million listeners.The fat and stale Boston sports media barons : Another great read in Boston Magazine's January issue is Alan Siegel's "The Fellowship of the Miserable" which blasts the lazy and boring Boston sports media which these days gets regularly scooped by national sports writers on big local stories.

Friday, February 1, 2013

Longtime WBZ helicopter traffic reporter Joe Morgan has diedFormer WBZ/"NewsRadio 1030" helicopter traffic reporter Joe Morgan died Wednesday after a long illness according to the station. He was 67. Morgan joined WBZ in 1997 as airborne traffic reporter and was heard on the station until his retirement two years ago. Prior to WBZ, the Andover native spent his entire career working in Boston radio starting in 1966 at WNBP in Newburyport. In 1968,he was appointed as the Operations Director at WCOP 1150 in Boston. In 1976, he joined WRKO 680 where he had served in a number of roles including public affairs and editorial director, news anchor and reporter, and the news director. In 1989 he was named as the new director at WHDH 850.

BRW Notebook :Holiday payoff : Adult contemporary WMJX/Magic 106.7 jumped over its longtime rival pop king WXKS/Kiss 108 as Boston's top radio station in the latest Arbitron's PPM (personal people meter) ratings report for the Holiday survey period.Between December 6 and January 2nd, listeners ages 6 and up tuned in the station 11.8 percent of the time, up from 6.8 percent in December survey(Nov.8-Dec.5), according to Arbitron results releasedlast week.Magic 106.7's all-Christmas music format during December(BRW 12/5/12) is responsible for the increase. Its major competitor, Kiss 108, fell to the No. 2 spot with a 7.6(from 8.4) percent share overall. In its target 25-54 demographic, Magic 106.7 was also the top station during the holidays followed by Kiss 108, Country 102.5 and 98.5 The Sports Hub. Jamn 94-5 and Classic Rock 100.7 tied for the #5 spot. Some good news for Kiss 108 as it held onto the top position among the younger 18-34 demographic followed by sister station Jamn 94.5, Magic 106.7, Radio 92.9 and Country 102.5.All That Jazz : WGBH Radio will broadcast the next "Live From Scullers" performance this Friday, February 1 at 10pm on 89.7, as part of WGBH’s "Eric in the Evening" show with host Eric Jackson. Friday’s live broadcast will feature jazz singer Roberta Gambarini at Scullers Jazz Club. Jackson will join Gambarini at the landmark jazz venue and introduce her to his radio and online listeners at 10pm.Sports Shorts : If for some reason you don't find yourself in front of a TV at 6:35pm on Sunday night(2/3), radio is your second best option to follow 49ers-Ravens Super Bowl 47 showdown. WEEI 93.7 will have the national radio broadcast from Dial Globalstarting at 5pm...The Truck Day(2/5) is only a few days away which means spring and baseball are almost here. And once again, Red Sox will have 15 grapefruit league games on the radio this season. Twelve of those broadcasts will be carried on flagship WEEI 93.7 with three games airing on AM("ESPN on 850") due to conflicts with the Celtics. Full spring training radio broadcast schedule can be found here...The 61st annual Beanpot Tournament is getting full radio treatment on Monday(2/4) : the early game(5pm) - Boston University vs Northeastern - will air commercially on AM 1510(BU) and 1330(NU) while the late game(8pm) - Boston College vs Harvard - will be on 98.5(BC) and 95.3(Harvard). On the college radio side, it's 89.3/640 AM(BU), 90.3(BC) and 104.9(NU).